Folding table top



April 18, 1933. H KAHRS 1,904,897

FOLDING TABLE TOP Filed May 7, 1951 all-alto keg-9M6,

A llomey HENRY mans, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK; MARY DICKIE WRIGHT SAID HENRY xennsnncnnsnn Patented Apr. 18, 1933 UNITED "STATES PATENT Jam s V FOLDING TABLE a Application filed May 7, 1931.. Serial 1535 58.

This invention relates to improvementsin folding table tops. a v

'Theprimary object of the invention resides in' an auxiliary table top for attach- 'ment to the tops of'card tables for increasing the area of the table top and'the seating capacity about the table. 7

' Another object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary table top which will :convert a square shaped table into around table when desired, and which when not in use, may be compactly folded and stored away in a minimum amount of space.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an auxiliary table top which embodies adjustable clamping means tofacilitate the'quick and ready attachment of the same to the tops proper of various sized tables to'avoid the necessity of manufacturing the auxiliarytable tops of various sizes to suit the different size card tables now in use.

A still further object is the provision of an auxiliary table top which embodies a pair of "semicircular shaped top sections hingedly connected together and which are foldable to a position with their topsurfaces in flat contact with each other when not in use to protect the playing surfaces from being accidentally marred, and which sections are foldable to an extended positionfor use to provide a round playing surface with a t1ght joint between the meeting edges of the sec dotted lines. 7

ExEou'rnIxfor I card table with my improved auxiliary table top in position thereon. a

' Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the auxiliary table top in' an open or extended, position, the table top proper being shown in Figure 3 is anenlarged detail'verticalsectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4: isa similar view on the line 1 4: ofFigure2. 1 i Figure 5 is a perspeotiveviewpf the auxiliary table top in folded position. j Referring to the drawing by referencecharacters, the numeral 10 designates a card table of the conventional type which includes a table top proper 11 which is square shaped in plan and which is "supported by foldable legs 12. My improved auxiliary table top is designated in its entirety by the letterA', I a and includes a pair of identical semi-circular.

shaped flat top sections18,"the' same being hingedly connected together along their straight sides as at 1% and which hinges permit of the top surfaces ofthe sections to be folded toa collapsed position one upon the other as shown .in Figure 5 of the drawing.

The sections may be constructed of a relatively light material such as wood and each is provided with a flange 15 extending outwardly from the underside of the section, while extending transversely of each section and disposed in spaced relation, are cleats 16. These cleats 16' are disposed flush with or inwardly of the edge of the flange 15 so as to l 7 lie within the confines of the under sides of; thetop sections while fastened to the outer sidesuof-the cleats 16 are metal" plates; 17, each having a series of 'graduationsxl8 marked thereon and which 'graduations may represent the scaleofinches for a purpose to be presently explained; The cleats "17 of each top section are provided with alined elongated slots 19, while slidable on the cleats 17 are U-shaped clips 20 which clips are provided with alined openings 21 inthe opposed legs thereof through which pivot bolts' or 7 screws 22 freely extend and which screws thread into opposite ends of a clampingibar 23. The screws 22 serve to pivotally sup portthe clamping bar 23ofeach top slection while one of the inner edges of each clamping bar 23 is rounded as at 24: which permits the said clamping bar to freely swing to a position flat against the under side of the top section to lie within the confines of the cleats 17 and flange 15, while the inner end of each clamping bar is formed with a shoulder 25 for engagement with the under side of the table top section to limit the swinging move ment of the clamping bar in one direction, or

for preventing the clamping bar from swinging more than 90, or from a position fiat against the under side of the table top section to a position at right angles thereto.

Countersunk in the outer end of each clamping bar 23 is a bearing plate 26 which is secured in position by screws or like fastening elements 27. Each plate 26 is provided with a centrally disposed threaded opening 28 for threadedly receiving the screw threaded shank 29 of a wing screw 30. The inner end of the screw threaded shank 29 is received in a recess 31 provided in the clamping bar 23 as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4; of the drawing.

From the foregoing description, assume that it is desired to attach the auxiliary table top A to the square top 11 of the card table 10. With the table top section 13 in folded position as shown in Figure 5 the said sections are swung to an extended position to provide a circular auxiliary table top whereupon the pivot screws 22 are loosened and V the clampingbars 23 adjusted to the desired position. A person knowing the size of the square table top 11 is able to adjust the clamping bars 23 by referring to the graduations or scale 18 in order that an accurate adjustment of the bars will be obtained to cause the auxiliary top to automatically center itself upon the table top proper when placed thereon. When the auxiliary top A is placed over the top 11 .of the table, the clamping bars 23 embrace opposite sides of the square table top to prevent any possible shifting or turning of the auxiliary top with respect to thetable top proper. The wing screws 30 are next turned to cause the winged heads to clamp beneath the edges of the table top 11 as seen in Figure 4; of the drawing, and when in clamping position, the wing screws and clamping bars positively prevent any movement of the auxiliary top relative to the top proper. It will be understood that after an initial adjustment of the clamping bars 23 to aparticular sized table, they do not have to be readjusted as the adjustment does not have to be disturbed. In removing the auxiliary top from the table, it is only necessary that the wing screws 30 be loosened and'moved to a position where they extend parallel to the length of the clamping bars 23 so as notto interfere with the free liftproper.

' 32 to prevent accidental swinging of the top sections when not in use.

. From the foregoing description it will u be seen that I have provided a simple and inexpensive auxiliary table top for the attachm'entto card tables, and wherein a square shaped table may be converted into an enlarged round table to increase the surface of the table top and to facilitate thecomfort- 7 able seating of an increased number of persons about the table. Although theauxiliary table top is shown as being round when in extended position, the same may be made in various configurations such as square, hexagonal or the like, but in eachinstance the combined area of the auxiliary top section is greater than the area of the table top to which the auxiliary top is to be attached.

While I have shown and described what I deem to be the most desirable embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that various changes in construction may be resorted to if desired, and I do not limit myself to the exact structural details herein set forth, nor to anything less than the whole of my invention as set forth in the appended claims. v v

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An auxiliary table top for attachmentto various size table tops having a fiat top member provided with spaced parallel clamping ars slidably mounted on the under side thereof, and means for securing said clamping bars in an adjusted position, and headed clamping screws threaded into said clamping bars and adapted to have their headed portions screwed into clamping engagement with the under side of a table topv proper.

2. An auxiliary table top for attachment to various size table tops having a flat top operative position flat against the underside of said top member to an operative position at right angles thereto, and wing clamping screws threaded into said bars substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof 'I'a'ffix my signature.

I vHENRY KAHRS. 

